The Inner Meaning of Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughna
Question
When Lord Rama descended, the story also says that Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughna were born along with him. Rama was not born alone — Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughna were also born. What does this signify?
Answer
I had once said before that in all of ancient Indian scriptures, the word putra (son) actually points to a guna — a quality. Putra doesn’t literally mean a male child; it means a quality.
So when the Ramayana says that along with Rama, Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughna also took birth, it is indicating a very significant truth — that self-realization, the awakening of the soul, never descends alone within us. When realization comes — when the remembrance of the Self arises — three other inner qualities also naturally take birth within the mind.
We only need to make effort for one thing — to stay in the awareness of who we are, to know that I am the soul. That’s all we need to strive for. But when we make that single effort, three special qualities come to us automatically — like today’s “buy one, get three free” offers.
So when we work toward that one awareness, three accompanying virtues automatically awaken within us. Symbolically, the story calls them Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughna. These three qualities take birth within us along with Rama — one effort, three free gifts.
Let’s begin with Lakshman.
When Rama, the embodiment of Self-knowledge, is born within us, Lakshman too is born. What does that mean? What quality does Lakshman symbolize? Because these three names each represent an inner quality.
As soon as one becomes aware — “I am the soul, not this body” — one also naturally realizes that since I am the soul, I am the one who, using this body as an instrument, performs all actions.
Let me explain again: I, the soul, am the creator of every thought and every resolve. Therefore, I am also their ruler and controller.
The moment I understand that I am the soul, I automatically gain the quality of realizing: “I, the soul, am the creator of all my thoughts and intentions.” And since I create them, I also have the power to change them.
If I generate a thought that is not noble, I have the authority to alter it. The power to rule my own thoughts — that sword, that instrument — comes into my hand. I become both the creator and the controller of my thoughts.
When I can create my thoughts and control them, I can steer the chariot of my life in whichever direction I choose.
Earlier, while beginning the 16th chapter, we discussed that the body is my chariot, and I am the charioteer — or, we could say, the body is my veena, and I am the player.
So when the scripture says Lakshman was born with Rama, it’s pointing to this truth — that as soon as I know “I am the soul,” I must also recognize: I am the one who creates every single thought.
No one else enters me to create my thoughts. Whether my thoughts are positive or negative — I am their creator. I must take responsibility for that.
Yes, others can act as triggers or stimulants, but the creation of thought happens within me.
Here’s an example: when someone insults me, I become angry. When someone praises me, I become happy. So who holds the “remote control” of my mind? Others. Not me.
If someone praises me — I’m pleased. If someone criticizes me — I’m hurt. So the remote is in their hands.
But when a person realizes the Self, they take that remote back into their own hands.
Meaning: even if someone insults me, my peace doesn’t depend on them. Even if someone praises me, I’m not swayed by it. No one outside of me can control me.
Just like a TV remote — whoever holds it controls what everyone watches. But when the remote is in my hand, I choose the program I wish to see.
Similarly, when I’m centered in my soul-consciousness, I become the maker of my thoughts. Outer influences can’t dictate me. Criticism and praise remain external — they don’t enter my inner space.
Why?
Because now I’ve become the creator of my own thoughts and resolutions.
So this is the quality that awakens within — that no one else can control my life. I, alone, shape the direction of my life as I wish.
This supreme quality — of becoming the master of one’s thoughts — is symbolized by the birth of Lakshman along with Rama.
The word Lakshman itself is formed from lakshma, meaning beauty or radiance. Since a person free from reaction becomes naturally peaceful, their personality gains radiance — true beauty.
In the Valmiki Ramayana (Book 1, Chapter 18, Verse 28), it is said: Lakshmanah Lakshmi-vardhanah — Lakshman increases the radiance of beauty. So Lakshman symbolizes the inner beauty born when we master our thoughts.
That’s the first quality — Lakshman.
Now let’s move to Bharat.
When Rama took birth, Bharat also took birth. What does Bharat represent?
As soon as a person realizes “I am the soul,” they also instantly experience that the soul itself is naturally filled with happiness, peace, power, purity, knowledge, love, and bliss — these seven original qualities of every soul.
We don’t have to look for these virtues outside. They already belong to us. We only need to bring them into use.
In our present body-conscious state, we think: “If I do this, I’ll be happy. If others behave nicely, I’ll feel peaceful. If I buy this or achieve that, I’ll feel joy.” We seek outside what already lies within.
Valmiki hints that when you realize you are the soul, you don’t need to search outward for peace or love — they’re your own inner wealth.
It’s like money kept in your bank account — it’s yours. You don’t beg others for it. You simply withdraw and use it.
Similarly, the seven qualities of the soul — peace, joy, purity, power, knowledge, love, bliss — are stored within the “heart-bank” of every soul.
All you need to do is awaken the awareness “I am the soul,” and these virtues become active.
Now, let’s understand the meaning of the name Bharat. It comes from two parts: bhar (to collect or store) and t (from tanoti, meaning to spread or distribute).
So Bharat means one who possesses inner wealth and shares it with others — one who spreads and gives what they have.
A person always gives what they possess.
In body-consciousness, if I have extra clothes, I can share clothes; if I have money, I can share money.
But when I live as a soul, I possess peace, love, and joy — and I naturally share those.
If peace is my wealth, I spread peace.
If love is my wealth, I spread love.
If purity is my wealth, I spread purity.
That is Bharat — the one who distributes the treasures of the soul.
So Bharat’s birth represents the awakening of the quality to use and share your innate virtues with everyone around you.
Now, finally, Shatrughna.
What quality does this name indicate?
When a person realizes “I am the soul” and understands, “I am the creator of my thoughts,” another quality naturally arises — “I am also the one who can destroy my inner enemies — the vices and weaknesses that arise within me.”
You might ask, “But if I’m soul-conscious, how can vices even arise?”
The answer is — they can, because as long as we live in contact with others, certain reactions can still appear suddenly.
But if I know I create my own thoughts (that’s Lakshman’s quality), then I also hold the power to finish or transform any negative thought that arises — that is Shatrughna’s quality.
The name Shatrughna is from shatru (enemy) and the root han (to destroy). It means “the destroyer of enemies.”
Here, the enemies aren’t external people but the vices within — anger, greed, jealousy, negativity.
I can finish them instantly when I choose to, because I am their creator.
So as I become the maker of my thoughts (Lakshman), I also become capable of destroying my negative ones (Shatrughna).
Thus, along with self-awareness, three inner qualities automatically take birth:
Lakshman – the maker and master of one’s own thoughts.
Bharat – the sharer of the soul’s inner virtues.
Shatrughna – the destroyer of inner vices and wasteful thoughts.
That’s why though Dasharatha asked for one son, four were born — because when Self-knowledge (Rama) awakens, these three qualities arise naturally within.
They don’t need to be asked for. They descend on their own.